We have an exciting opportunity to appoint a new Learning Mentor /Pastoral Support Officer.

AYR or TT position available for the right candidate.  

Closing date: Monday 4th of November 2024. 

Interviews date: Thursday 14th of November 2024.

Start date: ASAP.  

Purpose of job 

To support pupils who are facing difficulties in school because of issues related to social, emotional, mental health, personal, behavioral problems or other factors. To help these pupils overcome their barriers to learning and fully engage with lessons to become more effective learners, and to improve academic and pastoral progress. To work with the school’s senior mental health lead on a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. To understand the needs of all students and implement evidence-based strategies to address these needs. To champion the school’s commitment to delivering excellent outcomes in whole-school mental health and wellbeing. Fulfil DSL function. Due to the need to access the information systems CPOM it is essential that the successful candidate is IT literate and capable of recording information in an appropriate and timely manner. The successful candidate should hold a driving license. 

Senior Learning Mentor Responsibilities 

• Liaise with teaching staff to co-ordinate the approach to support to targeted pupils in to raise achievement and provide support to enable them to overcome barriers to learning. 
• Line management of Lunchtime Supervisory Assistants. 
• Identification of those pupils who need extra help to overcome barriers to learning inside and outside school. 
• Develop a range of individual and group interventions based on behaviour, attendance, social and emotional development and evaluate their impact. 
• In liaison with teaching staff, develop and implement individual action plans for targeted pupils who need particular support (Lego therapy, Talking and Drawing). 
• To develop a 1:1 relationship with pupils requiring particular support with the aim of addressing points defined in the action plan and engaging them with activities and opportunities. 
• Undertake home/school liaison activities, including home visits, in order to keep parents / carers informed and to secure positive family support and involvement. 
• Use knowledge of the range of activities, courses, opportunities and organisations available to students to provide extra support for pupils. 
• To support pupils and families at transition points 
• Network with other learning mentors/ pastoral leads and share best practice. 
• Enable the development of partnerships with other organisations to set up support resources and initiatives within school that will address barriers to learning. 
• Maintain accurate records and prepare written reports and evaluations. 
• Support the development / implementation of activities to encourage family / carer involvement within school.  
• Liaise with external agencies, such as health professionals and Attendance Improvement Officers to support pupils. 
• Organise nurture groups within school. 
• Organise or support community links for the school. 
• Support SEMH children, contribute to IBPs and EHCPs, facilitate behaviour support sessions for targeted children; be part of the on call team to support class teachers and vulnerable children. 
• Ensure all behaviour logs are completed by all staff, and actioned appropriately. Input Behaviour Logs onto CPOMS, collate reports for individual students, support/provide staff training, escalating child protection and safeguarding concerns. 

Family Liaison 

• Close partnership working with Cluster and a range of agencies on behalf of children and families to address barriers to learning.  
• Organise and document meetings, carry out actions as required with e.g. school nurses, social workers, family, outreach, housing, debt-better, Leeds Community, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), Barnardo’s, food banks, BARCA, Behind Closed Doors, MindMate etc. 
• Provide family support addressing issues with parents to break down barriers to learning. 
• Organise and deliver regular parenting courses across the school.  
• Support and guidance lead for extended services (referrals, meetings, networking, signposting). 
• Regular practitioner meetings. Share best practice, identify gaps in training, provide support, ensure record keeping etc. (Pastoral Meetings) 
• Work with target families. Ensure early intervention. Build good relationships with staff, parents and attend meetings with parents where necessary. 
• Use SIMS proficiently to manage, track and monitor pupil’s attendance 
• First day calling and check to ensure registers are correct with Senior Admin. Home visit and challenge parents/carers re attendance. Attend appropriate attendance meetings in school with parents/carers and across the Cluster. Liaise with AIO and Legal. Attend SAP meetings. Attend regular Safeguarding Supervision meetings with DSL & Deputy DSL. 
• To support families and children with medical needs, to implement best care.  

Early Help Planning  

• EHP Lead professional in school. Co-ordinate the agreed plan and acts as a single point of contact for a family.   
• Work with a child and family to assess strengths and needs early and to gather information about their circumstances and understand the priorities for change. Record and analyse the information and consider different responsibilities for those involved. 
• Arrange meetings to bring together the child and family and the relevant agencies.  
• Liaise with the various agencies to ensure integrated services are delivered. Ensure families have joined up support and everyone works together on the same agreed goals. 
• Create a plan with a long term goal and a summary of actions which identifies who is leading an action and when it will be completed by. 
• Review the delivery plan. Organise and chair a meetings to discuss the progress that has been made and decide on the next steps. 

Designated Safeguarding Lead  

• Promote the safeguarding of all pupils in school and fulfil the responsibilities of a DSL in school. 
• Work with the other DSLs as a designated person taking responsibility for dealing with safeguarding issues.  
• Provide advice and support to other staff, liaising with the local authority and working with other agencies. 
• In consultation with the  Headteacher, refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations against member of staff to the relevant investigating agencies. 
• Act as a source of support, advice and expertise within school when deciding in conjunction with the Safeguarding Lead whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies. 
• Have a working knowledge of how LSCB’s operate, the conduct of a child protection conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so. 
• Contribute to staff training and induction training covering child protection to ensure staff are able to recognise and report any concerns immediately they arise. 
• Keep detailed accurate secure written records of referrals and concerns, use CPOMS confidently. 
• Work with the head teacher and senior leaders to ensure the establishment’s child protection, safeguarding and anti-bullying policies are kept updated and reviewed 
• Where children leave the establishment ensure the effective transition of files in accordance with data protection legislation and local safeguarding procedures.  
• Work with the head teacher to raise awareness of safeguarding in the school (school environment, curriculum, policy awareness).  

Other 

• To contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school. 
• To work to promote inclusion- apply an extensive knowledge of SEND to all work 
• To ensure promotion and support of Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety 
• To support the school improvement plan. 
• To contribute to the team ethos through demonstrating a flexible approach to undertaking task and responsibilities. 
• To undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the post 
• To undertake any training and development as needed. 
• To take part in supervision and to lead the supervision of others where appropriate 
• Be a calm head in a crisis, first aider or willing to be trained.  

Physical Conditions 

The post is currently based at Southroyd Primary School 

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclose and Barring Service check.  

We will be carrying out an online search as part of their due diligence on the shortlisted candidates. This may help identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the school might want to explore with the applicant at interview. 

The school operates a non-smoking policy. 

To apply, please contact anna.devine@pudseysouthroyd.leeds.sch.uk for application form, job description and person spec. 

Please return the filled in application form to Mrs Devine on the email address anna.devine@pudseysouthroyd.leeds.sch.uk. 

We promote equality, diversity and inclusion and want a workforce which reflects the population of Leeds. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.

Policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders